- Nissan Shatai will convert its Shonan Plant into a dedicated service parts production facility by 2027.
Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd. has announced plans to expand its contract manufacturing operations by producing service parts, also known as replacement parts, for vehicle models that are no longer in production. Alongside its existing service parts business for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., the company intends to pursue additional business opportunities with other automakers across Japan. The initiative is designed to broaden its customer base while leveraging its established manufacturing expertise.
The company’s Shonan Plant, located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is scheduled to stop vehicle assembly operations in March 2027. Following this transition, the facility will be converted into a dedicated service parts production plant. Through this strategic shift, Nissan Shatai aims to sustain plant utilization rates, improve profitability, and accommodate a wider range of customer requirements within the automotive sector.
Nissan Shatai plans to capitalize on the mass-production capabilities and stringent quality standards it has developed through years of vehicle manufacturing. By applying these strengths to replacement parts production, the company seeks to ensure a stable supply of equivalent products while maintaining continuity for customers requiring parts support for discontinued vehicle models.
Key Objectives of the Shonan Plant Transformation
| Objective | Expected Benefit |
|---|---|
| Dedicated service parts production | Support discontinued vehicle models |
| Expand customer base | Secure orders from multiple automakers |
| Improve operational efficiency | Enhance profitability |
| Utilize manufacturing expertise | Maintain product quality and supply stability |
To strengthen the economics of low-volume replacement parts manufacturing, the company will introduce advanced production approaches focused on efficiency and profitability. These methods are expected to support the production of a diverse range of components while maintaining cost competitiveness and operational flexibility in a changing market environment.
One of Nissan Shatai’s notable technologies is its patented die-less hemming system. This innovative process performs bending operations using a roller and eliminates the need for dedicated molds. As a result, the technology enables efficient production of multiple component variations in small quantities while utilizing general-purpose molds and jigs, making it particularly suitable for service parts manufacturing requirements.
Looking ahead, Nissan Shatai will continue restructuring the production framework at the Shonan Plant while simultaneously engaging with other automakers to discuss potential partnerships and manufacturing opportunities. The company plans to establish a robust production and supply network capable of supporting long-term replacement parts demand across the automotive industry in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nissan Shatai converting the Shonan Plant into a service parts production facility?
The transition is intended to support long-term replacement parts demand for discontinued vehicle models while maintaining plant utilization and profitability. After vehicle assembly operations conclude in March 2027, the Shonan Plant will focus on manufacturing service parts for Nissan Motor and potentially other automakers. This strategy allows the company to diversify its customer base, utilize its manufacturing expertise, and provide a stable supply of parts required to support vehicles that remain in operation after production ends.
What is Nissan Shatai’s die-less hemming system?
The die-less hemming system is a patented manufacturing technology that performs bending operations using a roller instead of dedicated molds. This approach provides greater production flexibility and reduces tooling requirements. The technology enables efficient low-volume production of different component types using general-purpose molds and jigs. Such capabilities are especially valuable for service parts manufacturing, where demand volumes may vary and multiple part variants need to be produced economically while maintaining quality standards.
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